Opinion

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview with the Juneau Empire at the Capitol in February 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sullivan’s silence says a lot

When I was a kid, a couple of older boys bullied me after swim lessons. They snapped me with towels and put my underwear on… Continue reading

  • Apr 23, 2020
  • By Hank Lentfer
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview with the Juneau Empire at the Capitol in February 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Dunleavy is no friend to medicine

Opinion: Dunleavy is no friend to medicine

Three doctors weigh in.

  • Apr 22, 2020
  • By Dr. Laurie Montano, Dr. Tina Tomsen and Dr. Robert Hunter
Opinion: Dunleavy is no friend to medicine
Opinion: Let’s flatten the curve of climate change

Opinion: Let’s flatten the curve of climate change

I wonder what are we learning about addressing the coronavirus that applies to the climate crisis?

  • Apr 21, 2020
  • By Kate Troll
Opinion: Let’s flatten the curve of climate change
Juneau students and residents, led by members of the Yees Ku Oo Dance Group, march to Centennial Hall during a “Stand Strong for Climate” rally on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. The International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds is holding four days of meetings at Centennial Hall. The rally was organized by 350 Juneau, a local chapter of an international climate advocacy movement, 350.org. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: COVID-19 offers lessons and hope, if we act smart

In the midst of this unprecedented pandemic, I am finding a small amount of hope in the fact of spring. Here in Juneau, we’re hearing… Continue reading

  • Apr 21, 2020
Juneau students and residents, led by members of the Yees Ku Oo Dance Group, march to Centennial Hall during a “Stand Strong for Climate” rally on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. The International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds is holding four days of meetings at Centennial Hall. The rally was organized by 350 Juneau, a local chapter of an international climate advocacy movement, 350.org. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: The 49th state should be the 21st to call for the 28th Amendment

Opinion: The 49th state should be the 21st to call for the 28th Amendment

Voices of lawyers, lobbyists and political fat cats often dominate political decision-making.

  • Apr 21, 2020
  • By Joe Geldhof
Opinion: The 49th state should be the 21st to call for the 28th Amendment
Opinion: Infrastructure could lay groundwork for recovery

Opinion: Infrastructure could lay groundwork for recovery

The COVID-19 pandemic has swiftly swept across the world, with cases and deaths rising rapidly in the United States. Governments are increasingly cracking down to… Continue reading

  • Apr 20, 2020
  • By Andrew Wells and Tor Anderzen
Opinion: Infrastructure could lay groundwork for recovery
Opinion: Now’s the time for nondiscrimination

Opinion: Now’s the time for nondiscrimination

As the medical director of the only clinic in Anchorage that markets to LGBTQ Alaskans, it is my job to provide care and find resources… Continue reading

  • Apr 18, 2020
Opinion: Now’s the time for nondiscrimination
Opinion: The experts Dunleavy ignored

Opinion: The experts Dunleavy ignored

Dunleavy has handled the pandemic admirably, but the financial crisis is a different story.

  • Apr 18, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak For the Juneau Empire
Opinion: The experts Dunleavy ignored
A snowboarder makes his way through the snow at Eaglecrest Ski Area earlier this month. The City and Borough of Juneau-owned and operated ski area has received snowfall each of the past 30 days. (Courtesy Photo | Jeremy Lavendar)

Opinion: Stay safe out there

High peaks, low infection rates.

  • Apr 17, 2020
A snowboarder makes his way through the snow at Eaglecrest Ski Area earlier this month. The City and Borough of Juneau-owned and operated ski area has received snowfall each of the past 30 days. (Courtesy Photo | Jeremy Lavendar)
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Pick priorities, not winners and losers, to plug our budget gap

The Assembly must make some hard choices.

  • Apr 16, 2020
  • By Win Gruening For the Juneau Empire
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
The ferry Columbia sails through Lynn Canal on Monday, April 29, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: We’re committed to the Alaska Marine Highway System

“The governor and I are committed to the Marine Highway’s success.”

  • Apr 16, 2020
The ferry Columbia sails through Lynn Canal on Monday, April 29, 2019. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes his presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center in August 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Building community, contribution and care in the time of COVID-19

I am proud to be a part of a university system that serves our communities and our state.

  • Apr 15, 2020
  • By Jim Johnsen
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen makes his presentation to the university’s Board of Regents at the UAS Recreation Center in August 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Bristol Bay is focused on local health and safety – not mine permitting

Spring is always a busy time in Bristol Bay, but the coronavirus pandemic has brought meaning to the phrase “over scheduled.” Even as the daylight… Continue reading

  • Apr 14, 2020
  • By Courtenay Carty
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: We must demand that the Roadless Rule is upheld

It is a mistake to trade portions of the world’s last remaining pristine temperate rainforest.

  • Apr 14, 2020
  • By Duncan Kowalski
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: City should suspend rent and mortgage collection

When the pandemic ends, many of our neighbors will be expected to survive without employment,

  • Apr 14, 2020
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: New stimulus bill should include the Postal Service

Opinion: New stimulus bill should include the Postal Service

There’s a bill in House of Representatives to do just that.

  • Apr 13, 2020
Opinion: New stimulus bill should include the Postal Service
A section of logging road on Kupreanof Island. Sections of already constructed road would be connected with new ones to create a road spanning the island. (Courtesy photo | Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)

Opinion:$40M road to nowhere is a waste of money

“It is a colossal and shameful waste of public funds.”

  • Apr 13, 2020
  • Rebecca Knight
A section of logging road on Kupreanof Island. Sections of already constructed road would be connected with new ones to create a road spanning the island. (Courtesy photo | Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Opinion: Political stereotyping leads to an inglorious end

Opinion: Political stereotyping leads to an inglorious end

Arguing all Republicans are incapable of governing is like saying all Democrats are socialists.

  • Apr 10, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak For the Juneau Empire
Opinion: Political stereotyping leads to an inglorious end
Opinion: It’s important to protect DACA during the pandemic

Opinion: It’s important to protect DACA during the pandemic

We must demand that Trump automatically renew DACA permits for all whose permits are expiring.

  • Apr 9, 2020
  • By Sara Buckingham
Opinion: It’s important to protect DACA during the pandemic
Opinion: Appreciate the people and moments that make up your life

Opinion: Appreciate the people and moments that make up your life

Our reality has been turned upside down as COVID-19 restrictions have changed our everyday lives.

  • Apr 8, 2020
Opinion: Appreciate the people and moments that make up your life